Hair drier



R. R. AUSTIN Nov. 9, 1948.

HAIR DRIER Filed Jan. 51, 1946 Patented Nov. 9, 1948 UNITED sTATssearsN'r OFFICE I nArn Dama Robert ia. Austin, Ingiewooa, caiif.

Application' January ei, 1946, seriai Na. 644,551

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a method and means for drying -the hair on the human head after washing and is particularly applicable to a hood which when put on the head dries the hair, while permitting the wearer url-restricted movement for engaging in other activities while the drying process proceeds.

An object of the inven-tion is to provide a container in the form of a hood made of two layers of vapor permeable material., the hood generally conforming to the shape of the human head and confining between the two layers a material which adsorbs the moisture passing through said vapor permeable material.

Another object is to provide a hood of the aforementioned character in which the vapor permeable material is hygroscopic.

Another object is to provide a hood of lthe aforementioned Character which is reversible to afford a more eicient utilization of vthe moisture conducting capacity of said hood and of the moisture adsorping capacity of said adsorptive material.

Another object is to provide a convenient and efiicient hood for automatically drying the hair in si'tu.

Another object is to provide a drying implement which has no deleterious effect on the hair o r scalp.

Another object is to provide a drying hood which can be used repeatedly and which can be rejuvenated by heating the adsorptive material.

Another object is to provide a drying hood which is simple in construction and use and which does not present any hazards of fire, burns from heat or chemical action or the like.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing is illustrative of an embodiment of the invention. In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section of the hood.

Fig. 2 is a top view, while Fig. 3 is a front view, partly in section along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the device comprises a structure conforming substantially to the shape of the human head and consisting of two spaced layers I!! and ll of a water absorbent and Water permeable fabric such as a cotton sheeting. The two layers are sewed together at their perimeter |2 and also along substantially parallel lines in the central portion of the hood which corresponds to the crown of the head, thereby forming substantially parallel channels 13 adapted to contain a moisture adsorbent granular material such as silica gel 18. The two sides of the hood overlying the temples of the wearer are partitioned by sewed lines into lateral channels 14 which open into the outermost longitudinal Channels von either side. The Channels 13 terminate in a single extension or header 15 having an opening IG near its base. Near the opening 16 there is provided a slide fastener or "zipper I'l so arranged that the extension |5 may be turned upon itself and tucked inside of the hood, whereupon the latter is closed by closing the zipper as shown in Fig. 1. With the zipper open granular material IB may be poured into the header 15 from where it fiows into the Channels 13 and |4, as will be apparent, until the hood is completely charged with said granular material, whereupon it is closed as aforedescribed.

The hood constructed and prepared as described is used as follows: After the hair is washed and arranged in the manner desired, the hood which has previously been filled With granular silica gel 68 is placed over the head, so as to substantially cover all of 'the hair and to fit the head as closely as practicable. Moisture in the hair is transmitted by capillary action to the covering of the hood and thence to the silica gel. Upon contact with the moisture the latter heats up to a gentle heat which is transmitted to the hair and thus causes evaporation of further moisture which in turn is adsorbed by the gel. The process continues until substantially all the moisture is driven olf the hair.

It may be desirable to augment the effect described, by reversing the hood so that after the gel nearest to the head has become more or less saturated with moisture, the hood is reve-rsed to present the layer of the gel which was removed from the head into a closer proximity with the hair. This layer is less saturated and therefore will adsorb the remaining moisture more effectiveli7 and at a more rapid rate.

While the invention has been described as employing a moisture absorbent material covering for the hood, good results may also be obtained by the employment of a porous, but water repellent fabric. In that case the water vapor initially present on the surface of the hair penetrates the pores of the fabric and rea-ches the gel, where it is adsorbed in the manner aforedescribed. The heat of adsorption is communicated through the fabric and vapor to the hair, thereby accelerating the evaporation of water from the hair and its a'dsorption by the silica gel.

While I have explained my invention in connection With silica gel, other adsorptive materials may be employed. The gel used should be as free as possible from dustlike fine particles to prevent dust from passing through the fabric and lodging in the hair -or upon vthe scalp. After it has become saturated it may be dried by the application of dry heat, Whereupon it is again available for further use.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a hair drier, the combination of a reversible hood shaped to substantially cover' the head and confine the hair of the user, said hood comprising two pliant hygroscopic and vapor permeable cover sheets selectively forming the interior and exterior Walls of said hood respectively, means to fasten said pliant sheets to each other by rows of stitching which divide the interspace into a number of compartments and an entrance opening communica'ting With said compartments to afiord access to said interspace for the introduction of a Vapor adsorbent material between said sheets, and closure means for said opening.

ROBERT R. AUSTIN.

REFEREN CES CITED 'The vfollowing 3references :are o'if record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Number Name Date 2,210,862 Tronstad Aug. 6, 1940 '2,263,418 Ganim Nov. 18, 1941 .2,420,358 Culligan et al May 13, 19417` 

